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 Scenes from the
English 'MIDLANDS'
MIDLANDS
INDEX
14. Leicester (8) All Saints Church
the disused ex Great Central Railway Station and the busy
Leicester London Road main-line station
Some buildings that have seen better days!
and some fairing better!
All Saints Church, Leicester

The much changed and
restored All Saints medieval Church in High Cross Street is not
needed for regular services but it is looked after by the Churches
Conservation Trust. It remains a consecrated building, and therefore can
be used for worship and is an important part of Leicester's history with
its origins dating from the thirteenth century and the north and south
aisles added later.

The west doorway, much
eroded and much restored but one of the few clearly visible features of
the original Norman church.

The relatively modern brick
chancel? and the stocky' tower of All Saints Church seen from the quiet
and peaceful graveyard.
The old ex Great Central Railway Station

Just up from All Saints is
Great Central Street where the dilapidated remains of the former
Leicester Central Railway Station reside.

This was originally the
main Leicester station for the Great Central Railway prior to 1923.
Neither of these buildings
is exactly on Leicester's tourist trail, but they are architectural
reminders of aspects of the history of the city.
Leicester London Road
main-line station - the present day Network Rail station

The first station was built
in 1840, but after several rebuilds the present buildings date mainly
from 1894 and is one of the best preserved late Victorian buildings in
Leicester with its grand 'departure' and 'Arrival' arches.

On the left some details of
the fine brick and stone architecture of the front facade of Leicester
Station in London Road. Just down the road from the station is a statue
of Thomas Cook (1808-1892), the Victorian founder of the famous travel
agency who ran his first excursion train from Leicester station in 1841.
The travel company he founded was continued by his son to become one of
the largest holiday companies in the UK.
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